Microbial strains, compositions, and methods for increasing available phosphate for plants

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel phosphate solubilizing strains as well as compositions and methods thereof for increasing the availability of phosphate for plants.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/080,546filed Nov. 14, 2013 (now allowed) which claims priority or the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. 119 of U.S. provisional application No. 61/727,300 filedNov. 16, 2012, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein are novel microbial strains. Compositions comprisingthe novel microbial strains and methods of using the novel microbialstrains are further disclosed, particularly compositions and methods toincrease available phosphate for plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

In order to maintain healthy growth, plants must extract a variety ofelements from the soil in which they grow. These elements includephosphorus and the so-called micro-nutrients (e.g., copper, iron, zinc,etc.), but many soils are deficient in such elements or they containthem only in forms which cannot be readily taken up by plants (it isgenerally believed that essential elements cannot be readily taken up byplants unless they are present in dissolved form in the soil).

To counteract such deficiencies, sources of the deficient elements arecommonly applied to soils in order to improve growth rates and yieldsobtained from crop plants. For example, phosphates are often added tosoil to counteract a lack of available phosphorus. Phosphate added tothe soil as a commercial fertilizer (e.g., mono-ammonium phosphate,triple-super-phosphate, etc.) is readily plant available, but is rapidlyconverted in soil to relatively unavailable forms. It has been estimatedthat only 10 to 30% of phosphate fertilizer is used by the plant in theyear it is applied, and one-third to one-half of the phosphatefertilizer applied may never be recovered by the plant.

Attempts have been made in the past to use microorganisms to improve theavailability of essential elements in soil systems. In particularspecies of the fungus Penicillium has been used for this purpose.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,417 discloses isolated strains of P.bilaii which are capable of improving the uptake of phosphorus by plantswhen applied to the soil.

U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.: 2010/0099560 discloses method of enhancinggrowth conditions for plants by growing the plants in soil containing,in proximity to the plant roots, both a phosphorus source and at leasttwo strains of the fungus Penicillium.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,464 Methods and compositions for increasing theavailability of soluble phosphate and fixed nitrogen for legume:Rhizobium symbioses involving co-inoculating legume seeds with aphosphate-solubilizing soil fungus, Penicillium bilaii, and Rhizobiumspp. prior to planting.

There is, however, still a need for systems for improving growthconditions for plants, particularly by increasing the levels ofavailable phosphorus in soil systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

Described herein are novel fungal strains which solubilize phosphorus.The inventors have isolated and tested a significant number of fungalstrains for their ability to solubilize phosphorus.

As disclosed throughout, the isolated strains are strains of the genusPenicillium spp. In particular, the isolated strains are strains ofPenicillium bilaiae. Even more particularly, the isolated strains areisolated Penicillium bilaiae strains selected from the group consistingof

-   -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50776,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50780,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50786,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788, and    -   a mixture of two or more of the strains thereof.

Also described herein are compositions comprising a carrier and one ormore of the fungal strains described herein. The compositions mayfurther comprise a phosphorus source, such as rock phosphate or aphosphorus containing fertilizer, for phosphorus solubilization by thefungal strains of the compositions. The phosphorus source or phosphoruscontaining fertilizers may be used as part of the same composition orthrough a separate treatment process.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises one or more plantsignal molecules. In one embodiment, the composition comprises at leastone lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO). In another embodiment thecomposition comprises at least one chitooligosaccharide (CO). In stillanother embodiment, the composition comprises at least one flavonoid. Instill yet another embodiment, the composition comprises jasmonic acid ora derivative thereof. In another embodiment, the composition compriseslinoleic acid or a derivative thereof. In yet another embodiment, thecomposition comprises linolenic acid or a derivative thereof. In stillyet another embodiment, the composition comprises a karrikin.

Further described herein is a method for increasing the availability ofphosphorus for plant uptake from soil. The method comprises introducinginto the soil an inoculum of one or more of the fungal strains describedherein. In another embodiment, the method may further comprise adding asource of phosphorus to the soil. In still another embodiment, themethod comprises introducing into the soil an inoculum of one or more ofthe fungal strains as a seed coating.

Also described herein is a method for increasing the phosphorus uptakein a plant(s) comprising growing a plant(s) in a soil that contains aphosphorus source and one or more of the fungal strains describedherein. In one embodiment, the plant(s) is a leguminous plant(s),non-leguminous plant(s), or combinations thereof. In another embodiment,the plant is a plant selected from the group consisting of soybean,bean, alfalfa, clover, corn, lettuce tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, andcombinations thereof.

Further described herein are seeds coated with the fungal strainsdescribed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed fungal strains have been isolated and tested for theirability to solubilize phosphorus. This is described in detail in the“Examples” section provided below. The disclosed embodiments furtherrelate to compositions, seed coatings, methods for increasing theavailability of phosphorus for plant uptake from soil, and methods forincreasing the phosphorus uptake in plants comprising growing the plantsin a soil containing a phosphorus source.

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise.

As used herein, the term “biologically pure culture” is intended to meana culture essentially free from biological contamination and having agenetic uniformity such that different subcultures taken therefrom willdisplay substantially identical genotypes and phenotypes (e.g., cultureshave a purity of at least 60%, of at least 65%, at least 70%, at least75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least92%, at least 93%, at least 94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least97%, at least 98%, at least 99%, up to 100% pure).

As used herein, the term “isolate, isolates, isolating, and/or isolated,etc.” is intended to mean that the referenced material is removed fromthe environment in which it is normally found.

As used herein, the term “inoculum” is intended to mean any form offungus cells, mycelium, or spores, which is capable of propagating on orin the soil when the conditions of temperature, moisture, etc., arefavorable for fungal growth.

As used herein, the terms “spore” has its normal meaning which is wellknown and understood by those of skill in the art and generally refersto a microorganism in its dormant, protected state.

As used herein, the term “source” of a particular element is intended tomean a compound of that element which, at least in the soil conditionsunder consideration, does not make the element fully available for plantuptake.

As used herein, the terms “effective amount”, “effective concentration”,or “effective dosage” is intended to mean the amount, concentration, ordosage of the one or more fungal isolates sufficient to cause thesolubilization of a phosphorus source. The actual effective dosage inabsolute value depends on factors including, but not limited to, thesize (e.g., the area, the total acreage, etc.) of the land forapplication with the fungal isolates, synergistic or antagonisticinteractions between the other active or inert ingredients which mayincrease or reduce the phosphate solubilizing activity of the fungalisolates, and the stability of the fungal isolates in compositionsand/or as seed treatments. The “effective amount”, “effectiveconcentration”, or “effective dosage” of the fungal pesticide may bedetermined, e.g., by a routine dose response experiment.

As used herein, the term “carrier” is intended to refer to a mediumcapable of supporting one or more of the fungal isolates as describedherein.

As used herein, the term “soil-compatible carrier” is intended to referto any material which can be added to a soil without causing/having anadverse effect on plant growth, soil structure, soil drainage, or thelike.

As used herein, “at least one biologically active ingredient” isintended to mean biologically active ingredients (e.g., signalmolecules, other microorganisms, etc.) other than the one or more fungalisolates described herein.

As used herein the terms “signal molecule(s)” or “plant signalmolecule(s)”, which may be used interchangeably with “plantgrowth-enhancing agent(s),” broadly refers to any agent, both naturallyoccurring in plants or microbes, and synthetic (and which may benon-naturally occurring) that directly or indirectly activates orinactivates a plant biochemical pathway, resulting in increased orenhanced plant growth, compared to untreated plants or plants harvestedfrom untreated seed.

As used herein, terms “increased plant growth” or “enhanced plantgrowth” are intended to refer to increased plant yield (e.g., increasedbiomass, increased fruit number, or a combination thereof as measured bybushels per acre), increased root number, increased root mass, increasedroot volume, increased leaf area, increased plant stand, increased plantvigor, or combinations thereof.

As used herein, the terms “plant(s)” and “plant part(s)” are intended torefer to all plants and plant populations such as desired and undesiredwild plants or crop plants (including naturally occurring crop plants).Crop plants can be plants, which can be obtained by conventional plantbreeding and optimization methods or by biotechnological and geneticengineering methods or by combinations of these methods, including thetransgenic plants and including the plant cultivars protectable or notprotectable by plant breeders' rights. Plant parts are to be understoodas meaning all parts and organs of plants above and below the ground,such as shoot, leaf, flower and root, examples which may be mentionedbeing leaves, needles, stalks, stems, flowers, fruit bodies, fruits,seeds, roots, tubers and rhizomes. The plant parts also includeharvested material and vegetative and generative propagation material(e.g., cuttings, tubers, rhizomes, off-shoots and seeds, etc.).

As used herein, terms “phosphate solubilization”, or “phosphatesolubilizing”, etc. are intended to mean the conversion of insolublephosphate (e.g., rock phosphate, etc.) into a soluble phosphate form.

As used herein, the term “phosphate solubilizing organism” is intendedto refer to any organism capable of converting insoluble phosphate intoa soluble phosphate form.

As used herein, the term “micronutrient(s)” is intended to refer tonutrients which are needed for plant growth, plant health, and/or plantdevelopment.

As used herein, the term “biostimulant(s)” is intended to refer to anysubstance capable of enhancing metabolic or physiological processeswithin plants and soils.

As used herein, the term “wetting agent(s)” is intended to refer to anysubstance capable of lowering and/or reducing the surface tension ofwater.

Strains

In one embodiment, the strain(s) described herein is a phosphatesolubilizing fungal strain(s). In another embodiment, the strain(s) is aPenicillium bilaiae strain(s). As used herein, the species name“Penicillium bilaiae” is intended to include all iterations of thespecies name “Penicillium bilaiae” such as those species names publishedthroughout the literature (e.g., “Penicillium bilaji”, “Penicilliumbilaii”, etc.).

In another embodiment, the strain(s) is the progeny of the Penicilliumbilaiae strain having the deposit accession number V08/021001 (depositedwith the National Measurement Institute). In another embodiment, thestrain(s) is the progeny of the Penicillium bilaiae strain having thedeposit accession number ATCC-20851 (deposited with the American TypeCulture Collection). In another embodiment, the strain(s) is the progenyof the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accession numberATCC-22348 (deposited with the American Type Culture Collection). Instill another embodiment, the strain(s) is the progeny of thePenicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accession numberV08/021001 and the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the depositaccession number ATCC-20851. In still another embodiment, the strain(s)is the progeny of the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the depositaccession number V08/021001 and the Penicillium bilaiae strain havingthe deposit accession number ATCC-22348. In still another embodiment,the strain(s) is the progeny of the Penicillium bilaiae strain havingthe deposit accession number ATCC-20851 and the Penicillium bilaiaestrain having the deposit accession number ATCC-22348.

In still another embodiment, the strains are Penicillium strainsselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50776,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50780,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50786,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788, and    -   a mixture of two or more of the strains thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the strain(s) may be one or more of theabove mentioned deposited strains (e.g., including at least two of theabove strains, at least three of the above strains, at least four of theabove strains, at least five of the above strains, at least six of theabove strains, at least seven of the above strains, at least eight ofthe above strains, at least nine of the above strains, at least ten ofthe above strains, at least eleven of the above strains, at least twelveof the above strains, up to and including all of the above strains).

In an embodiment, the strain is the strain having the deposit accessionNRRL B-50776. In an embodiment, the strain is the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50777. In an embodiment, the strain isthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778. In anembodiment, the strain is the strain having the deposit accession numberNRRL B-50779. In an embodiment, the strain is the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50780. In an embodiment, the strain isthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781. In anembodiment, the strain is the strain having the deposit accession numberNRRL B-50782. In an embodiment, the strain is the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50783. In an embodiment, the strain isthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784. In anembodiment, the strain is the strain having the deposit accession numberNRRL B-50785. In an embodiment, the strain is the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50786. In an embodiment, the strain isthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787. In anembodiment, the strain is the strain having the deposit accession numberNRRL B-50788.

In another embodiment, the strain(s) may be a progeny of one of thedeposited strains. In another embodiment, the deposited strain(s) is abiologically pure culture (e.g., cultures having a purity of at least60%, of at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least85%, at least 90%, at least 91%, at least 92%, at least 93%, at least94%, at least 95%, at least 96%, at least 97%, at least 98%, at least99%, up to 100% pure).

The deposited fungal cultures are derived from isolated naturallyoccurring fungal strains. All of the deposited strains were collected inSaskatoon, Canada in 2012. Cultures of the deposited strains may consistof dormant fungal spores and/or viable fungi.

The Penicillium fungus described herein, and in particular, the strainshaving deposit accession numbers NRRL B-50776, NRRL B-50777, NRRLB-50778, NRRL B-50779, NRRL B-50780, NRRL B-50781, NRRL B-50782, NRRLB-50783, NRRL B-50784, NRRL B-50785, NRRL B-50786, NRRL B-50787 and NRRLB-50788, can be grown using solid state or liquid fermentation and asuitable carbon source. Penicillium isolates may be grown using anysuitable method known to the person skilled in the art. For example, thefungus may be cultured on a solid growth medium such as potato dextroseagar or malt extract agar, or in flasks containing suitable liquid mediasuch as Czapek-Dox medium or potato dextrose broth. These culturemethods may be used in the preparation of an inoculum of Penicilliumspp. for coating seeds and/or application to carrier to be applied tosoil.

Solid state production of Penicillium spores may be achieved byinoculating a solid medium such as a peat or vermiculite-basedsubstrate, or grains including, but not limited to, oats, wheat, barley,or rice. The sterilized medium (achieved through autoclaving orirradiation) is inoculated with a spore suspension (1×10²-1×10⁷ cfu/ml)of the appropriate Penicillium spp. and the moisture adjusted to 20 to50%, depending on the substrate. The material is incubated for 2 to 8weeks at room temperature. The spores may also be produced by liquidfermentation (Cunningham et al., 1990. Can J Bot 68:2270-2274). Liquidproduction may be achieved by cultivating the fungus in any suitablemedia, such as potato dextrose broth or sucrose yeast extract media,under appropriate pH and temperature conditions (as could be performedby anyone skilled in the art).

The resulting material may be used directly in a composition, as a seedtreatment, or the spores may be harvested, concentrated bycentrifugation, formulated, and then dried using air drying, freezedrying, or fluid bed drying techniques (Friesen T., Hill G., Pugsley T.,Holloway G., and Zimmerman D. 2005, Experimental determination ofviability loss of Penicillium bilaiae conidia during convectiveair-drying Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 68: 397-404) to produce a wettablepowder.

Above mentioned deposited strains were deposited on Oct. 1, 2012, asindicated in more detail below, in the “Materials & Methods”-section,under terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition ofthe Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure atthe Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection, 1815 NorthUniversity Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604, U.S.A.

Compositions

In another aspect, the invention relates to a composition comprising acarrier and an inoculum of one or more of the deposited strains (eitherspore form or strains in a vegetative state) described herein. Incertain embodiments, the composition may be in the form of a liquid, aslurry, a solid, or a powder (wettable powder or dry powder). In anotherembodiment, the composition may be in the form of a seed coating.Compositions in liquid, slurry, or powder (e.g., wettable powder) formmay be suitable for coating seeds. When used to coat seeds, thecomposition may be applied to the seeds and allowed to dry. Inembodiments wherein the composition is a powder (e.g., a wettablepowder), a liquid, such as water, may need to be added to the powderbefore application to a seed.

Carriers:

The carriers described herein will allow the deposited fungal strain(s)to remain efficacious (e.g., capable of solubilizing phosphate) andviable once formulated. Non-limiting examples of carriers describedherein include liquids, slurries, or solids (including wettable powdersor dry powders). In an embodiment, the carrier is a soil compatiblecarrier as described herein.

In one embodiment, the carrier is a liquid carrier. Non-limitingexamples of liquids useful as carriers for the compositions disclosedherein include water, an aqueous solution, or a non-aqueous solution. Inone embodiment, the carrier is water. In another embodiment the carrieris an aqueous solution, such as sugar water. In another embodiment, thecarrier is a non-aqueous solution. If a liquid carrier is used, theliquid (e.g., water) carrier may further include growth media to culturethe deposited fungal strains. Non-limiting examples of suitable growthmedia for the deposited fungal strains include Czapek-Dox medium orpotato dextrose broth, or any media known to those skilled in the art tobe compatible with, and/or provide growth nutrients to the depositedfungal strains.

In another embodiment, the carrier is a slurry. In an embodiment, theslurry may comprise a sticking agent, a liquid, or a combinationthereof. It is envisioned that the sticking agent can be any agentcapable of sticking the inoculum (e.g., one or more of the depositedstrains) to a substrate of interest (e.g., a seed). Non-limitingexamples of sticking agents include alginate, mineral oil, syrup, gumarabic, honey, methyl cellulose, milk, wallpaper paste, and combinationsthereof. Non-limiting examples of liquids appropriate for a slurryinclude water or sugar water.

In another embodiment, the carrier is a solid. In a particularembodiment the solid is a powder. In one embodiment the powder is awettable powder. In another embodiment, the powder is a dry powder. Inanother embodiment, the solid is a granule. Non-limiting examples ofsolids useful as carriers for the compositions disclosed herein includepeat, wheat, wheat chaff, ground wheat straw, bran, vermiculite,cellulose, starch, soil (pasteurized or unpasteurized), gypsum, talc,clays (e.g., kaolin, bentonite, montmorillonite), and silica gels.

Optional Ingredients:

The compositions disclosed herein may comprise one or more optionalingredients. Non-limiting examples of optional ingredients include oneor more phosphorus sources, one or more biologically active ingredients,micronutrients, biostimulants, preservatives, polymers, wetting agents,surfactants, or combinations thereof.

Phosphorus Source(s):

The compositions described herein may optionally comprise one or morephosphorus sources. Any source of phosphorus that is capable of beingsolubilized by the deposited strains may be used.

In one embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources are rockphosphate.

In another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources arefertilizers comprising one or more phosphorus sources. Commerciallyavailable manufactured phosphate fertilizers are of many types. Somecommon ones are those containing rock phosphate, monoammonium phosphate,diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, super phosphate, triplesuper phosphate, and/or ammonium polyphosphate. All of these fertilizersare produced by chemical processing of insoluble natural rock phosphatesin large scale fertilizer-manufacturing facilities and the product isexpensive. By means of the present invention it is possible to reducethe amount of these fertilizers applied to the soil while stillmaintaining the same amount of phosphorus uptake from the soil.

In still another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources areorganic phosphorus sources. In a further particular embodiment thesource or phosphorus is an organic fertilizer. An organic fertilizerrefers to a soil amendment derived from natural sources that guarantees,at least, the minimum percentages of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.Non-limiting examples of organic fertilizers include plant and animalby-products, rock powders, seaweed, inoculants, and conditioners. Theseare often available at garden centers and through horticultural supplycompanies. In particular the organic source of phosphorus is from bonemeal, meat meal, animal manure, compost, sewage sludge, or guano, orcombinations thereof.

In still another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources may be acombination of phosphorus sources including, but not limited to, rockphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, monocalciumphosphate, super phosphate, triple super phosphate, ammoniumpolyphosphate, fertilizers comprising one or more phosphorus sources,one or more organic phosphorus sources, and combinations thereof.

Biologically Active Ingredient(s):

The fungal compositions described herein may optionally include one ormore biologically active ingredients as described herein, other than thefungal pesticides described herein. Non-limiting examples ofbiologically active ingredients include signal molecules (e.g.,lipo-chitooligosaccharides (LCO), chitooligosaccharides (CO), chitinouscompounds, flavonoids, jasmonic acid or derivatives thereof, linoleicacid or derivatives thereof, linolenic acid or derivatives thereof,kerrikins, etc.) and beneficial microorganisms (e.g., Rhizobium spp.,Bradyrhizobium spp., Sinorhizobium spp., Azorhizobium spp., etc.).

Signal Molecule(s):

In an embodiment, the compositions described herein include one or moresignal molecules. In one embodiment, the one or more signal moleculesare one or more LCOs. In another embodiment, the one or more signalmolecules are one or more chitinous compounds. In still anotherembodiment, the one or more signal molecules are one or more COs. In yetanother embodiment, the one or more signal molecules are one or moreflavonoids or derivatives thereof. In still yet another embodiment, theone or more signal molecules are one or more non-flavonoid nod geneinducers (e.g., jasmonic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, andderivatives thereof). In still yet another embodiment, the one or moresignal molecules are one or more karrikins or derivatives thereof. Instill another embodiment, the one or more signal molecules are one ormore LCOs, one or more chitinous compounds, one or more COs, one or moreflavonoids and derivatives thereof, one or more non-flavonoid nod geneinducers and derivatives thereof, one or more karrikins and derivativesthereof, or any signal molecule combination thereof.

LCOs:

Lipo-chitooligosaccharide compounds (LCOs), also known in the art assymbiotic Nod signals or Nod factors, consist of an oligosaccharidebackbone of β-1,4-linked N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (“GlcNAc”) residues withan N-linked fatty acyl chain condensed at the non-reducing end. LCO'sdiffer in the number of GlcNAc residues in the backbone, in the lengthand degree of saturation of the fatty acyl chain, and in thesubstitutions of reducing and non-reducing sugar residues. An example ofan LCO is presented below as formula I:

in which:

G is a hexosamine which can be substituted, for example, by an acetylgroup on the nitrogen, a sulfate group, an acetyl group and/or an ethergroup on an oxygen,

R₁, R₂, R₃, R₅, R₆ and R₇, which may be identical or different,represent H, CH₃CO—, C_(x)H_(y)CO— where x is an integer between 0 and17, and y is an integer between 1 and 35, or any other acyl group suchas for example a carbamyl,

R₄ represents a mono-, di- or triunsaturated aliphatic chain containingat least 12 carbon atoms, and n is an integer between 1 and 4.

LCOs may be obtained (isolated and/or purified) from bacteria such asRhizobia, e.g., Rhizobium spp., Bradyrhizobium spp., Sinorhizobium spp.and Azorhizobium spp. LCO structure is characteristic for each suchbacterial species, and each strain may produce multiple LCO's withdifferent structures. For example, specific LCOs from S. meliloti havealso been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,718 as having the formula II:

in which R represents H or CH₃CO— and n is equal to 2 or 3.

Even more specific LCOs include NodRM, NodRM-1, NodRM-3. When acetylated(the R═CH₃CO—), they become AcNodRM-1, and AcNodRM-3, respectively (U.S.Pat. No. 5,545,718).

LCOs from Bradyrhizobium japonicum are described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,175,149 and 5,321,011. Broadly, they are pentasaccharide phytohormonescomprising methylfucose. A number of these B. japonicum-derived LCOs aredescribed: BjNod-V (C_(18:1)); BjNod-V (A_(C), C_(18:1)), BjNod-V(C_(18:1)); and BjNod-V (A_(C), C_(16:0)), with “V” indicating thepresence of five N-acetylglucosamines; “Ac” an acetylation; the numberfollowing the “C” indicating the number of carbons in the fatty acidside chain; and the number following the “:” the number of double bonds.

LCOs used in compositions of the invention may be obtained (i.e.,isolated and/or purified) from bacterial strains that produce LCO's,such as strains of Azorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium (including B.japonicum), Mesorhizobium, Rhizobium (including R. leguminosarum),Sinorhizobium (including S. meliloti), and bacterial strains geneticallyengineered to produce LCO's.

Also encompassed by the present invention are compositions using LCOsobtained (i.e., isolated and/or purified) from a mycorrhizal fungus,such as fungi of the group Glomerocycota, e.g., Glomus intraradicus. Thestructures of representative LCOs obtained from these fungi aredescribed in WO 2010/049751 and WO 2010/049751 (the LCOs describedtherein also referred to as “Myc factors”).

Further encompassed by compositions of the present invention is use ofsynthetic LCO compounds, such as those described in WO 2005/063784, andrecombinant LCO's produced through genetic engineering. The basic,naturally occurring LCO structure may contain modifications orsubstitutions found in naturally occurring LCO's, such as thosedescribed in Spaink, Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 54:257-288 (2000) andD'Haeze, et al., Glycobiology 12:79R-105R (2002). Precursoroligosaccharide molecules (COs, which as described below, are alsouseful as plant signal molecules in the present invention) for theconstruction of LCOs may also be synthesized by genetically engineeredorganisms, e.g., as in Samain, et al., Carb. Res. 302:35-42 (1997);Samain, et al., J. Biotechnol. 72:33-47 (1999).

LCO's may be utilized in various forms of purity and may be used aloneor in the form of a culture of LCO-producing bacteria or fungi. Methodsto provide substantially pure LCO's include simply removing themicrobial cells from a mixture of LCOs and the microbe, or continuing toisolate and purify the LCO molecules through LCO solvent phaseseparation followed by HPLC chromatography as described, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 5,549,718. Purification can be enhanced by repeated HPLC,and the purified LCO molecules can be freeze-dried for long-termstorage.

COs:

Chitooligosaccharides (COs) are known in the art as β-1-4 linked N actylglucosamine structures identified as chitin oligomers, also asN-acetylchitooligosaccharides. CO's have unique and different side chaindecorations which make them different from chitin molecules[(C₈H₁₃NO₅)n, CAS No. 1398-61-4], and chitosan molecules [(C₅H₁₁NO₄)n,CAS No. 9012-76-4]. Representative literature describing the structureand production of COs is as follows: Van der Holst, et al., CurrentOpinion in Structural Biology, 11:608-616 (2001); Robina, et al.,Tetrahedron 58:521-530 (2002); Hanel, et al., Planta 232:787-806 (2010);Rouge, et al. Chapter 27, “The Molecular Immunology of ComplexCarbohydrates” in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology,Springer Science; Wan, et al., Plant Cell 21:1053-69 (2009);PCT/F100/00803 (9/21/2000); and Demont-Caulet, et al., Plant Physiol.120(1):83-92 (1999). The COs may be synthetic or recombinant. Methodsfor preparation of recombinant COs are known in the art. See, e.g.,Samain, et al. (supra.); Cottaz, et al., Meth. Eng. 7(4):311-7 (2005)and Samain, et al., J. Biotechnol. 72:33-47 (1999).

Chitinous Compounds:

Chitins and chitosans, which are major components of the cell walls offungi and the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans, are also composedof GlcNAc residues. Chitinous compounds include chitin, (IUPAC:N-[5-[[3-acetylamino-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2yl]methoxymethyl]-2-[[5-acetylamino-4,6-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]methoxymethyl]-4-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]ethanamide),and chitosan, (IUPAC:5-amino-6-[5-amino-6-[5-amino-4,6-dihydroxy-2(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-2(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4-diol).

These compounds may be obtained commercially, e.g., from Sigma-Aldrich,or prepared from insects, crustacean shells, or fungal cell walls.Methods for the preparation of chitin and chitosan are known in the art,and have been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,207(preparation from crustacean shells), Pochanavanich, et al., Lett. Appl.Microbiol. 35:17-21 (2002) (preparation from fungal cell walls), andU.S. Pat. No. 5,965,545 (preparation from crab shells and hydrolysis ofcommercial chitosan). Deacetylated chitins and chitosans may be obtainedthat range from less than 35% to greater than 90% deacetylation, andcover a broad spectrum of molecular weights, e.g., low molecular weightchitosan oligomers of less than 15 kD and chitin oligomers of 0.5 to 2kD; “practical grade” chitosan with a molecular weight of about 15 kD;and high molecular weight chitosan of up to 70 kD. Chitin and chitosancompositions formulated for seed treatment are also commerciallyavailable. Commercial products include, for example, ELEXA® (PlantDefense Boosters, Inc.) and BEYOND™ (Agrihouse, Inc.).

Flavonoids:

Flavonoids are phenolic compounds having the general structure of twoaromatic rings connected by a three-carbon bridge. Flavonoids areproduced by plants and have many functions, e.g., as beneficialsignaling molecules, and as protection against insects, animals, fungiand bacteria. Classes of flavonoids include chalcones, anthocyanidins,coumarins, flavones, flavanols, flavonols, flavanones, and isoflavones.See, Jain, et al., J. Plant Biochem. & Biotechnol. 11:1-10 (2002); Shaw,et al., Environmental Microbiol. 11:1867-80 (2006).

Representative flavonoids that may be useful in compositions of thepresent invention include luteolin, apigenin, tangeritin, quercetin,kaempferol, myricetin, fisetin, isorhamnetin, pachypodol, rhamnazin,hesperetin, naringenin, formononetin, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol,taxifolin, dihydroquercetin, dihydrokaempferol, genistein, daidzein,glycitein, catechin, gallocatechin, catechin 3-gallate, gallocatechin3-gallate, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin 3-gallate,epigallocatechin 3-gallate, cyaniding, delphinidin, malvidin,pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, or derivatives thereof. Flavonoidcompounds are commercially available, e.g., from Natland InternationalCorp., Research Triangle Park, N.C.; MP Biomedicals, Irvine, Calif.; LCLaboratories, Woburn Mass. Flavonoid compounds may be isolated fromplants or seeds, e.g., as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,702,752;5,990,291; and 6,146,668. Flavonoid compounds may also be produced bygenetically engineered organisms, such as yeast, as described inRalston, et al., Plant Physiology 137:1375-88 (2005).

Non-Flavonoid Nod-Gene Inducer(s):

Jasmonic acid (JA, [1R-[1α,2β(Z)]]-3-oxo-2-(pentenyl)cyclopentaneaceticacid) and its derivatives, linoleic acid ((Z,Z)-9,12-Octadecadienoicacid) and its derivatives, and linolenic acid((Z,Z,Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid) and its derivatives, may also beused in compositions of the present invention. Jasmonic acid and itsmethyl ester, methyl jasmonate (MeJA), collectively known as jasmonates,are octadecanoid-based compounds that occur naturally in plants.Jasmonic acid is produced by the roots of wheat seedlings, and by fungalmicroorganisms such as Botryodiplodia theobromae and Gibberellafujikuroi, yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), and pathogenic andnon-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli. Linoleic acid and linolenicacid are produced in the course of the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid.Jasmonates, linoleic acid and linoleic acid (and their derivatives) arereported to be inducers of nod gene expression or LCO production byrhizobacteria. See, e.g., Mabood, Fazli, Jasmonates induce theexpression of nod genes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum, May 17, 2001; andMabood, Fazli, “Linoleic and linolenic acid induce the expression of nodgenes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum,” USDA 3, May 17, 2001.

Useful derivatives of linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and jasmonic acidthat may be useful in compositions of the present invention includeesters, amides, glycosides and salts. Representative esters arecompounds in which the carboxyl group of linoleic acid, linolenic acid,or jasmonic acid has been replaced with a —COR group, where R is an —OR¹group, in which R¹ is: an alkyl group, such as a C₁-C₈ unbranched orbranched alkyl group, e.g., a methyl, ethyl or propyl group; an alkenylgroup, such as a C₂-C₈ unbranched or branched alkenyl group; an alkynylgroup, such as a C₂-C₈ unbranched or branched alkynyl group; an arylgroup having, for example, 6 to 10 carbon atoms; or a heteroaryl grouphaving, for example, 4 to 9 carbon atoms, wherein the heteroatoms in theheteroaryl group can be, for example, N, O, P, or S. Representativeamides are compounds in which the carboxyl group of linoleic acid,linolenic acid, or jasmonic acid has been replaced with a —COR group,where R is an NR²R³ group, in which R² and R³ are independently:hydrogen; an alkyl group, such as a C₁-C₈ unbranched or branched alkylgroup, e.g., a methyl, ethyl or propyl group; an alkenyl group, such asa C₂-C₈ unbranched or branched alkenyl group; an alkynyl group, such asa C₂-C₈ unbranched or branched alkynyl group; an aryl group having, forexample, 6 to 10 carbon atoms; or a heteroaryl group having, forexample, 4 to 9 carbon atoms, wherein the heteroatoms in the heteroarylgroup can be, for example, N, O, P, or S. Esters may be prepared byknown methods, such as acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addition, wherein thecarboxylic acid is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of acatalytic amount of a mineral acid. Amides may also be prepared by knownmethods, such as by reacting the carboxylic acid with the appropriateamine in the presence of a coupling agent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), under neutral conditions. Suitable salts of linoleicacid, linolenic acid, and jasmonic acid include e.g., base additionsalts. The bases that may be used as reagents to prepare metabolicallyacceptable base salts of these compounds include those derived fromcations such as alkali metal cations (e.g., potassium and sodium) andalkaline earth metal cations (e.g., calcium and magnesium). These saltsmay be readily prepared by mixing together a solution of linoleic acid,linolenic acid, or jasmonic acid with a solution of the base. The saltmay be precipitated from solution and be collected by filtration or maybe recovered by other means such as by evaporation of the solvent.

Karrikin(s):

Karrikins are vinylogous 4H-pyrones e.g., 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-onesincluding derivatives and analogues thereof. Examples of these compoundsare represented by the following structure:

wherein; Z is O, S or NR₅; R₁, R₂, R₃, and R₄ are each independently H,alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, benzyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxy,phenyloxy, benzyloxy, CN, COR₆, COOR═, halogen, NR₆R₇, or NO₂; and R₅,R₆, and R₇ are each independently H, alkyl or alkenyl, or a biologicallyacceptable salt thereof. Examples of biologically acceptable salts ofthese compounds may include acid addition salts formed with biologicallyacceptable acids, examples of which include hydrochloride, hydrobromide,sulphate or bisulphate, phosphate or hydrogen phosphate, acetate,benzoate, succinate, fumarate, maleate, lactate, citrate, tartrate,gluconate; methanesulphonate, benzenesulphonate and p-toluenesulphonicacid. Additional biologically acceptable metal salts may include alkalimetal salts, with bases, examples of which include the sodium andpotassium salts. Examples of compounds embraced by the structure andwhich may be suitable for use in the present invention include thefollowing: 3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁═CH₃, R₂, R₃,R₄═H), 2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁, R₂, R₃, R4=H),7-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁, R₂, R₄═H, R₃═CH₃),5-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁, R₂, R₃═H, R₄═CH₃),3,7-dimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁, R₃═CH₃, R₂, R₄═H),3,5-dimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁, R₄═CH₃, R₂, R₃═H),3,5,7-trimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁, R₃, R₄═CH₃, R₂═H),5-methoxymethyl-3-methyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (where R₁═CH₃, R₂,R₃═H, R₄═CH₂OCH₃), 4-bromo-3,7-dimethyl-2H-furo[2,3-c]pyran-2-one (whereR₁, R₃═CH₃, R₂═Br, R₄═H), 3-methylfuro[2,3-c]pyridin-2(3H)-one (whereZ═NH, R₁═CH₃, R₂, R₃, R₄═H), 3,6-dimethylfuro[2,3-c]pyridin-2(6H)-one(where Z═N—CH₃, R₁═CH₃, R₂, R₃, R₄═H). See, U.S. Pat. No. 7,576,213.These molecules are also known as karrikins. See, Halford, “SmokeSignals,” in Chem. Eng. News (Apr. 12, 2010), at pages 37-38 (reportingthat karrikins or butenolides which are contained in smoke act as growthstimulants and spur seed germination after a forest fire, and caninvigorate seeds such as corn, tomatoes, lettuce and onions that hadbeen stored). These molecules are the subject of U.S. Pat. No.7,576,213.

Beneficial Microorganism(s):

In an embodiment, the compositions described herein may comprise one ormore beneficial microorganisms. The one or more beneficialmicroorganisms may have one or more beneficial properties (e.g., produceone or more of the signal molecules described herein, enhance nutrientand water uptake, promote and/or enhance nitrogen fixation, enhancegrowth, enhance seed germination, enhance seedling emergence, break thedormancy or quiescence of a plant, etc.).

In one embodiment, the beneficial microorganism(s) is one or morebacteria. In another embodiment the bacteria are diazotrophs (i.e.,bacteria which are symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria). In still anotherembodiment, the bacteria are bacteria from the genera Rhizobium spp.(e.g., R. cellulosilyticum, R. daejeonense, R. etli, R. galegae, R.gallicum, R. giardinii, R. hainanense, R. huautlense, R. indigoferae, R.leguminosarum, R. loessense, R. lupini, R. lusitanum, R. meliloti, R.mongolense, R. miluonense, R. sullae, R. tropici, R. undicola, and/or R.yanglingense), Bradyrhizobium spp. (e.g., B. bete, B. canariense, B.elkanii, B. iriomotense, B. japonicum, B. jicamae, B. liaoningense, B.pachyrhizi, and/or B. yuanmingense), Azorhizobium spp. (e.g., A.caulinodans and/or A. doebereinerae), Sinorhizobium spp. (e.g., S. abri,S. adhaerens, S. americanum, S. aboris, S. fredii, S. indiaense, S.kostiense, S. kummerowiae, S. medicae, S. meliloti, S. mexicanus, S.morelense, S. saheli, S. terangae, and/or S. xinjiangense),Mesorhizobium spp (M. albiziae, M. amorphae, M. chacoense, M. ciceri, M.huakuii, M. loti, M. mediterraneum, M. pluifarium, M. septentrionale, M.ternperatum, and/or M. tianshanense), and combinations thereof. In aparticular embodiment, the beneficial microorganism is selected from thegroup consisting of B. japonicum, R leguminosarum, R meliloti, S.meliloti, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, thebeneficial microorganism is B. japonicum. In another embodiment, thebeneficial microorganism is R leguminosarum. In another embodiment, thebeneficial microorganism is R meliloti. In another embodiment, thebeneficial microorganism is S. meliloti.

In another embodiment the beneficial microorganism is one or moremycorrhiza. In particular, the one or more mycorrhiza is anendomycorrhiza (also called vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizas, VAMs,arbuscular mycorrhizas, or AMs), an ectomycorrhiza, or a combinationthereof.

In one embodiment, the one or more mycorrhiza is an endomycorrhiza ofthe phylum Glomeromycota and genera Glomus and Gigaspora. In still afurther embodiment, the endomycorrhiza is a strain of Glomus aggregatum,Glomus brasilianum, Glomus clarum, Glomus deserticola, Glomusetunicatum, Glomus fasciculatum, Glomus intraradices, Glomus monosporum,or Glomus mosseae, Gigaspora margarita, or a combination thereof.

In another embodiment, the one or more mycorrhiza is an ectomycorrhizaof the phylum Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Zygomycota. In still yetanother embodiment, the ectomycorrhiza is a strain of Laccaria bicolor,Laccaria laccata, Pisolithus tinctorius, Rhizopogon amylopogon,Rhizopogon fulvigleba, Rhizopogon luteolus, Rhizopogon villosuli,Scleroderma cepa, Scleroderma citrinum, or a combination thereof.

In still another embodiment, the one or more mycorrhiza is an ericoidmycorrhiza, an arbutoid mycorrhiza, or a monotropoid mycorrhiza.Arbuscular and ectomycorrhizas form ericoid mycorrhiza with many plantsbelonging to the order Ericales, while some Ericales form arbutoid andmonotropoid mycorrhizas. All orchids are mycoheterotrophic at some stageduring their lifecycle and form orchid mycorrhizas with a range ofbasidiomycete fungi. In one embodiment, the mycorrhiza may be an ericoidmycorrhiza, preferably of the phylum Ascomycota, such as Hymenoscyphousericae or Oidiodendron sp. In another embodiment, the mycorrhiza alsomay be an arbutoid mycorrhiza, preferably of the phylum Basidiomycota.In yet another embodiment, the mycorrhiza may be a monotripoidmycorrhiza, preferably of the phylum Basidiomycota. In still yet anotherembodiment, the mycorrhiza may be an orchid mycorrhiza, preferably ofthe genus Rhizoctonia.

Micronutrient(s):

In still another embodiment, the compositions described herein maycomprise one or more beneficial micronutrients. Non-limiting examples ofmicronutrients for use in the compositions described herein includevitamins, (e.g., vitamin A, vitamin B complex (i.e., vitamin B₁, vitaminB₂, vitamin B₃, vitamin B₅, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₇, vitamin B₈, vitaminB₉, vitamin B₁₂, choline) vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K,carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene,zeaxanthin, etc.), macrominerals (e.g., calcium, magnesium, potassium,sodium, iron, etc.), trace minerals (e.g., boron, cobalt, chloride,chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum,selenium, zinc, etc.) organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, citric acid,lactic acid, malic acid, taurine, etc.) and combinations thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the compositions comprise boron, chlorine,copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc or combinations thereof.

Biostimulant(s):

In one embodiment, the compositions described herein may comprise one ormore beneficial biostimulants. Biostimulants may enhance metabolic orphysiological processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, nucleicacid uptake, ion uptake, nutrient delivery, or a combination thereof.Non-limiting examples of biostimulants include seaweed extracts (e.g.,ascophyllum nodosum), humic acids (e.g., potassium humate), fulvicacids, myo-inositol, glycine, and combinations thereof. In anotherembodiment, the compositions comprise seaweed extracts, humic acids,fulvic acids, myo-inositol, glycine, and combinations thereof.

Polymer(s):

In one embodiment, the compositions described herein may furthercomprise one or more polymers. Non-limiting uses of polymers in theagricultural industry include agrochemical delivery, heavy metalremoval, water retention and/or water delivery, and combinationsthereof. Pouci, et al., Am. J. Agri. & Biol. Sci., 3(1):299-314 (2008).In one embodiment, the one or more polymers is a natural polymer (e.g.,agar, starch, alginate, pectin, cellulose, etc.), a synthetic polymer, abiodegradable polymer (e.g., polycaprolactone, polylactide, poly (vinylalcohol), etc.), or a combination thereof.

For a non-limiting list of polymers useful for the compositionsdescribed herein, see Pouci, et al., Am. J. Agri. & Biol. Sci.,3(1):299-314 (2008). In one embodiment, the compositions describedherein comprise cellulose, cellulose derivatives, methylcellulose,methylcellulose derivatives, starch, agar, alginate, pectin,polyvinylpyrrolidone, and combinations thereof.

Wetting Agent(s): In one embodiment, the compositions described hereinmay further comprise one or more wetting agents. Wetting agents arecommonly used on soils, particularly hydrophobic soils, to improve theinfiltration and/or penetration of water into a soil. The wetting agentmay be an adjuvant, oil, surfactant, buffer, acidifier, or combinationthereof. In an embodiment, the wetting agent is a surfactant. In anembodiment, the wetting agent is one or more nonionic surfactants, oneor more anionic surfactants, or a combination thereof. In yet anotherembodiment, the wetting agent is one or more nonionic surfactants.

Surfactants suitable for the compositions described herein are providedin the “Surfactants” section.

Surfactant(s):

Surfactants suitable for the compositions described herein may benon-ionic surfactants (e.g., semi-polar and/or anionic and/or cationicand/or zwitterionic). It is envisioned that the surfactant(s) will causeas little harm to the activity of the one or more deposited strainsand/or the one or more beneficial microorganisms as possible. Thesurfactants can wet and emulsify soil(s) and/or dirt(s). It isenvisioned that the surfactants used in described composition have lowtoxicity for the microorganisms contained within the formulation. It isfurther envisioned that the surfactants used in the describedcomposition have a low phytotoxicity (i.e., the degree of toxicity asubstance or combination of substances has on a plant). A singlesurfactant or a blend of several surfactants can be used.

Anionic surfactants

Anionic surfactants or mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants mayalso be used in the compositions. Anionic surfactants are surfactantshaving a hydrophilic moiety in an anionic or negatively charged state inaqueous solution. The compositions described herein may comprise one ormore anionic surfactants. The anionic surfactant(s) may be either watersoluble anionic surfactants, water insoluble anionic surfactants, or acombination of water soluble anionic surfactants and water insolubleanionic surfactants. Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactantsinclude sulfonic acids, sulfuric acid esters, carboxylic acids, andsalts thereof. Non-limiting examples of water soluble anionicsurfactants include alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl amidoether sulfates, alkyl aryl polyether sulfates, alkyl aryl sulfates,alkyl aryl sulfonates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, benzene sulfonates, toluenesulfonates, xylene sulfonates, cumene sulfonates, alkyl benzenesulfonates, alkyl diphenyloxide sulfonate, alpha-olefin sulfonates,alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, lignin sulfonates,alkyl sulfosuccinates, ethoxylated sulfosuccinates, alkyl ethersulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate,alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, phosphate ester, alkyl etherphosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates,N-acyl-N-alkyltaurates, alkyl carboxylates, or a combination thereof.

Nonionic Surfactants

Nonionic surfactants are surfactants having no electrical charge whendissolved or dispersed in an aqueous medium. In at least one embodimentof the composition described herein, one or more nonionic surfactantsare used as they provide the desired wetting and emulsification actionsand do not significantly inhibit spore stability and activity. Thenonionic surfactant(s) may be either water soluble nonionic surfactants,water insoluble nonionic surfactants, or a combination of water solublenonionic surfactants and water insoluble nonionic surfactants.

Water Insoluble Nonionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of water insoluble nonionic surfactants includealkyl and aryl: glycerol ethers, glycol ethers, ethanolamides,sulfoanylamides, alcohols, amides, alcohol ethoxylates, glycerol esters,glycol esters, ethoxylates of glycerol ester and glycol esters,sugar-based alkyl polyglycosides, polyoxyethylenated fatty acids,alkanolamine condensates, alkanolamides, tertiary acetylenic glycols,polyoxyethylenated mercaptans, carboxylic acid esters,polyoxyethylenated polyoxyproylene glycols, sorbitan fatty esters, orcombinations thereof. Also included are EO/PO block copolymers (EO isethylene oxide, PO is propylene oxide), EO polymers and copolymers,polyamines, and polyvinylpynolidones.

Water Soluble Nonionic Surfactants

Non-limiting examples of water soluble nonionic surfactants includesorbitan fatty acid alcohol ethoxylates and sorbitan fatty acid esterethoxylates.

Combination of Nonionic Surfactants

In one embodiment, the compositions described herein comprise at leastone or more nonionic surfactants. In one embodiment, the compositionscomprise at least one water insoluble nonionic surfactant and at leastone water soluble nonionic surfactant. In still another embodiment, thecompositions comprise a combination of nonionic surfactants havinghydrocarbon chains of substantially the same length.

Other Surfactants

In another embodiment, the compositions described herein may alsocomprise organosilicone surfactants, silicone-based antifoams used assurfactants in silicone-based and mineral-oil based antifoams. In yetanother embodiment, the compositions described herein may also comprisealkali metal salts of fatty acids (e.g., water soluble alkali metalsalts of fatty acids and/or water insoluble alkali metal salts of fattyacids).

Herbicide(s):

In one embodiment, the compositions described herein may furthercomprise one or more herbicides. In a particular embodiment, theherbicide may be a pre-emergent herbicide, a post-emergent herbicide, ora combination thereof.

Suitable herbicides include chemical herbicides, natural herbicides(e.g., bioherbicides, organic herbicides, etc.), or combinationsthereof. Non-limiting examples of suitable herbicides include bentazon,acifluorfen, chlorimuron, lactofen, clomazone, fluazifop, glufosinate,glyphosate, sethoxydim, imazethapyr, imazamox, fomesafe, flumiclorac,imazaquin, clethodim, pendimethalin;3,4-Dimethyl-2,6-dinitro-N-pentan-3-yl-aniline;N-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dinitro-3,4-xylidine; pronamide; propyzamide;3,5-Dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethylpropynyl)benzamide;3,5-Dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide;N-(1,1-Dimethylpropynyl)-3,5-dichlorobenzamide; S-ethylN-ethylthiocyclohexanecarbamate; trifluralin;2,6-Dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline; glyphosate;N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine; and derivatives thereof. In one embodiment,the one or more herbicides for use in accordance with this disclosureinclude pronamide (commercially referred to as Kerb®); propyzamide;3,5-Dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethylpropynyl)benzamide;3,5-Dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide;N-(1,1-Dimethylpropynyl)-3,5-dichlorobenzamide; cycloate, S-ethylN-ethylthiocyclohexanecarbamate (commercially referred to as Ro-Neet®);trifluralin; 2,6-Dinitro-N,N-dipropyl-4-(trifluoromethyl)aniline;glyphosate; N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine; and derivatives thereof.Commercial products containing each of these compounds are readilyavailable. Herbicide concentration in the composition will generallycorrespond to the labeled use rate for a particular herbicide.

Fungicide(s):

In one embodiment, the compositions described herein may furthercomprise one or more fungicides. Fungicides useful to the compositionsdescribed herein will suitably exhibit activity against a broad range ofpathogens, including but not limited to Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia,Fusarium, Pythium, Phomopsis or Selerotinia and Phakopsora andcombinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of commercial fungicides which may be suitable forthe compositions disclosed herein include PROTÉGÉ, RIVAL or ALLEGIANCEFL or LS (Gustafson, Plano, Tex.), WARDEN RTA (Agrilance, St. Paul,Minn.), APRON XL, APRON MAXX RTA or RFC, MAXIM 4FS or XL (Syngenta,Wilmington, Del.), CAPTAN (Arvesta, Guelph, Ontario) and PROTREAT(Nitragin Argentina, Buenos Ares, Argentina). Active ingredients inthese and other commercial fungicides include, but are not limited to,fludioxonil, mefenoxam, azoxystrobin and metalaxyl. Commercialfungicides are most suitably used in accordance with the manufacturer'sinstructions at the recommended concentrations.

Insecticide(s):

In one embodiment, the compositions described herein may furthercomprise one or more insecticides. Insecticides useful to thecompositions described herein will suitably exhibit activity against abroad range of insects including, but not limited to, wireworms,cutworms, grubs, corn rootworm, seed corn maggots, flea beetles, chinchbugs, aphids, leaf beetles, stink bugs, and combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of commercial insecticides which may be suitablefor the compositions disclosed herein include CRUISER (Syngenta,Wilmington, Del.), GAUCHO and PONCHO (Gustafson, Plano, Tex.). Activeingredients in these and other commercial insecticides includethiamethoxam, clothianidin, and imidacloprid. Commercial insecticidesare most suitably used in accordance with the manufacturer'sinstructions at the recommended concentrations.

Methods

In another aspect, methods of using the deposited strains andcompositions described herein are disclosed.

In one embodiment a method for increasing the availability of phosphorusfor plant uptake from soil is described. The method comprisesintroducing into the soil one or more fungal strains selected from thegroup consisting of:

-   -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50776,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50780,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50786,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788, and    -   a mixture of two or more of the strains thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the method comprises introducing an inoculumof one or more of the above mentioned deposited strains (e.g., includingat least two of the above strains, at least three of the above strains,at least four of the above strains, at least five of the above strains,at least six of the above strains, at least seven of the above strains,at least eight of the above strains, at least nine of the above strains,at least ten of the above strains, at least eleven of the above strains,at least twelve of the above strains, up to and including all of theabove strains).

In an embodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50776. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50778. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50780. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50782. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50784. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50786. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50788.

In still another embodiment, the step of introducing into the soil aninoculum of one or more of the deposited fungal strains comprisesintroducing into the soil one or more of the compositions describedherein. The inoculum(s) or compositions may be introduced into the soilaccording to methods known to those skilled in the art. Non-limitingexamples include in-furrow introduction, spraying, coating seeds, foliarintroduction, etc. In a particular embodiment, the introducing stepcomprises in-furrow introduction of the inoculum or compositionsdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the step of introducing into the soil one or moreof the deposited fungal strains comprises introducing an effectiveamount of the one or more of the deposited fungal strains. In certainembodiments, the step of introducing into the soil an inoculum of one ormore of the deposited fungal strains comprises introducing the inoculuminto the soil in an amount of 1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10⁶-1×10¹²colony forming units per hectare. In other certain embodiments, the stepof introducing into the soil an inoculum of one or more of the depositedfungal strains comprises introducing the deposited fungal strains as aseed coated with 1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10²-1×10⁶ colony formingunits per seed.

Further still, the method may comprise contacting the fungal strain withone or more phosphorus sources, e.g., by adding one or more phosphorussources to the soil. The step of adding a phosphorus source may occurbefore, after, or during the step of introducing an inoculum into thesoil. In still another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sourcesmay be an ingredient in a composition described herein. According to themethod described herein, any source of phosphorus that is capable ofbeing solubilized by the deposited strains may be used.

In one embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources are rockphosphate.

In another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources arefertilizers comprising one or more phosphorus sources. Commerciallyavailable manufactured phosphate fertilizers are of many types. Somecommon ones are those containing rock phosphate, monoammonium phosphate,diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, super phosphate, triplesuper phosphate, and/or ammonium polyphosphate. All of these fertilizersare produced by chemical processing of insoluble natural rock phosphatesin large scale fertilizer-manufacturing facilities and the product isexpensive. By means of the present invention it is possible to reducethe amount of these fertilizers applied to the soil while stillmaintaining the same amount of phosphorus uptake from the soil.

In still another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources areorganic phosphorus sources. In a further particular embodiment thesource or phosphorus is an organic fertilizer. An organic fertilizerrefers to a soil amendment derived from natural sources that guarantees,at least, the minimum percentages of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.Non-limiting examples of organic fertilizers include plant and animalby-products, rock powders, seaweed, inoculants, and conditioners. Theseare often available at garden centers and through horticultural supplycompanies. In particular the organic source of phosphorus is from bonemeal, meat meal, animal manure, compost, sewage sludge, or guano, orcombinations thereof.

In still yet another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources maybe a combination of phosphorus sources including, but not limited to,rock phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate,monocalcium phosphate, super phosphate, triple super phosphate, ammoniumpolyphosphate, fertilizers comprising one or more phosphorus sources,one or more organic phosphorus sources, and combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the method comprises growing plants in a soilcomprising one or more phosphorus sources and one or more fungal strainsselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50776,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50780,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50786,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788, and    -   a mixture of two or more of the strains thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the method comprises an inoculum of one ormore of the above mentioned deposited strains (e.g., including at leasttwo of the above strains, at least three of the above strains, at leastfour of the above strains, at least five of the above strains, at leastsix of the above strains, at least seven of the above strains, at leasteight of the above strains, at least nine of the above strains, at leastten of the above strains, at least eleven of the above strains, at leasttwelve of the above strains, up to and including all of the abovestrains).

In an embodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50776. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50778. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50780. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50782. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50784. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50786. In an embodiment, the inoculum comprisesthe strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787. In anembodiment, the inoculum comprises the strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50788.

In a particular embodiment, the step of introducing into the soil one ormore of the deposited fungal strains comprises introducing into the soilone or more of the compositions described herein. In some embodiments,the composition comprises an effective amount of the one or more of thedeposited fungal strains. In certain embodiments, the step ofintroducing into the soil an inoculum of one or more of the depositedfungal strains comprises introducing the inoculum into the soil in anamount of 1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10⁶-1×10¹² colony forming unitsper hectare. In other certain embodiments, the step of introducing intothe soil an inoculum of one or more of the deposited fungal strainscomprises introducing the deposited fungal strains as a seed coated with1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10²-1×10⁶ colony forming units per seed.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the steps of introducingthe one or more phosphorus sources before or during the growing step andintroducing the inoculum of one or more of the deposited strains beforeor during the growing step. The introduction of the one or morephosphorus sources and the introduction of the inoculum of one or moreof the deposited strains may occur at the same time, at substantiallythe same time, or at different times. In another embodiment theintroducing steps may be repeated as necessary.

In one embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources are rockphosphate.

In another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources arefertilizers comprising one or more phosphorus sources. Commerciallyavailable manufactured phosphate fertilizers are of many types. Somecommon ones are those containing rock phosphate, monoammonium phosphate,diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, super phosphate, triplesuper phosphate, and/or ammonium polyphosphate. All of these fertilizersare produced by chemical processing of insoluble natural rock phosphatesin large scale fertilizer-manufacturing facilities and the product isexpensive. By means of the present invention it is possible to reducethe amount of these fertilizers applied to the soil while stillmaintaining the same amount of phosphorus uptake from the soil.

In still another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources areorganic phosphorus sources. In a further particular embodiment thesource or phosphorus is an organic fertilizer. An organic fertilizerrefers to a soil amendment derived from natural sources that guarantees,at least, the minimum percentages of nitrogen, phosphate, and potash.Non-limiting examples of organic fertilizers include plant and animalby-products, rock powders, seaweed, inoculants, and conditioners. Theseare often available at garden centers and through horticultural supplycompanies. In particular the organic source of phosphorus is from bonemeal, meat meal, animal manure, compost, sewage sludge, or guano, orcombinations thereof.

In still another embodiment, the one or more phosphorus sources may be acombination of phosphorus sources including, but not limited to, rockphosphate, monoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, monocalciumphosphate, super phosphate, triple super phosphate, ammoniumpolyphosphate, fertilizers comprising one or more phosphorus sources,one or more organic phosphorus sources, and combinations thereof.

The methods described herein are potentially useful for improving growthconditions resulting in increased phosphorus uptake and/or yield for anytype of plant. In one particular embodiment the plant is selected fromthe group consisting of non-legumes, legumes, Brassica spp., cereals,fruits, vegetables, nuts, flowers, and turf. Particularly the cerealsare wheat, corn, rice, oat, rye, barley. Particularly legumes arelentil, chickpeas, beans, soybeans, peas, and alfalfa.

In another particular embodiment the plants are selected from the groupconsisting of alfalfa, rice, wheat, barley, rye, oat, cotton, sunflower,peanut, corn, potato, sweet potato, bean, pea, chickpeas, lentil,chicory, lettuce, endive, cabbage, brussel sprout, beet, parsnip,turnip, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, radish, spinach, onion, garlic,eggplant, pepper, celery, carrot, squash, pumpkin, zucchini, cucumber,apple, pear, melon, citrus, strawberry, grape, raspberry, pineapple,soybean, tobacco, tomato, sorghum, and sugarcane.

Seed Coatings

In another aspect, seeds are coated with one or more fungal strainsselected from the group consisting of:

-   -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50776,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50780,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50786,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788, and    -   a mixture of two or more of the strains thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with one or more ofthe above mentioned deposited strains (e.g., including at least two ofthe above strains, at least three of the above strains, at least four ofthe above strains, at least five of the above strains, at least six ofthe above strains, at least seven of the above strains, at least eightof the above strains, at least nine of the above strains, at least tenof the above strains, at least eleven of the above strains, at leasttwelve of the above strains, up to and including all of the abovestrains).

In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50776. In an embodiment, the seed(s) iscoated with the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777.In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50778. In an embodiment, the seed(s) iscoated with the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779.In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50780. In an embodiment, the seed(s) iscoated with the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781.In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50782. In an embodiment, the seed(s) iscoated with the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783.In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50784. In an embodiment, the seed(s) iscoated with the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785.In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50786. In an embodiment, the seed(s) iscoated with the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787.In an embodiment, the seed(s) is coated with the strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50788.

In one embodiment, seeds may be treated with composition(s) describedherein in several ways but preferably via spraying or dripping. Sprayand drip treatment may be conducted by formulating compositionsdescribed herein and spraying or dripping the composition(s) onto aseed(s) via a continuous treating system (which is calibrated to applytreatment at a predefined rate in proportion to the continuous flow ofseed), such as a drum-type of treater. Batch systems, in which apredetermined batch size of seed and composition(s) as described hereinare delivered into a mixer, may also be employed. Systems and apparatifor performing these processes are commercially available from numeroussuppliers, e.g., Bayer CropScience (Gustafson).

In another embodiment, the treatment entails coating seeds. One suchprocess involves coating the inside wall of a round container with thecomposition(s) described herein, adding seeds, then rotating thecontainer to cause the seeds to contact the wall and the composition(s),a process known in the art as “container coating”. Seeds can be coatedby combinations of coating methods. Soaking typically entails usingliquid forms of the compositions described. For example, seeds can besoaked for about 1 minute to about 24 hours (e.g., for at least 1 min, 5min, 10 min, 20 min, 40 min, 80 min, 3 hr, 6 hr, 12 hr, 24 hr).

In certain embodiments, a seed(s) coated with one or more of thecompositions described herein will comprise 1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably1×10²-1×10⁶ colony forming units of one or more of the deposited fungalstrains per seed.

The Invention is Further Defined by the Following Numbered Paragraphs:

1. An isolated fungal strain selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50779,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50780,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50785,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50786,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787,    -   the strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788, and    -   a mixture of two or more of the strains thereof.

2. A composition comprising a carrier and one or more of the fungalstrains of paragraph 1.

3. The composition of paragraph 2 comprising an inoculum of one or moreof the fungal strains of paragraph 1.

4. The composition of any of paragraphs 2-3, wherein the compositionfurther comprises a phosphorus source.

5. The composition of paragraph 4, wherein the phosphorus source is arock phosphate.

6. The composition of paragraph 4, wherein the phosphorus source is afertilizer.

7. The composition of paragraph 6, wherein the fertilizer comprisesmonoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate,super phosphate, triple super phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, andcombinations thereof.

8. The composition of paragraph 4, wherein the phosphorus source is anorganic phosphorus source.

9. The composition of paragraph 8, wherein the organic phosphorus sourcecomprises bone meal, meat meal, animal manure, compost, sewage sludge,guano, or combinations thereof.

10. The composition of any of paragraphs 2-9, wherein the compositionfurther comprises one or more plant signal molecules.

11. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is a lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO).

12. The composition of paragraph 11, wherein the LCO is synthetic.

13. The composition of paragraph 11, wherein the LCO is recombinant.

14. The composition of paragraph 11, wherein the LCO is naturallyoccurring.

15. The composition of paragraph 11, wherein the LCO is obtained from aspecies of Rhizobia selected from Rhizobium spp., Bradyrhizobium spp.,Sinorhizobium spp., Azorhizobium spp., or a combination thereof.

16. The composition of paragraph 11, wherein the LCO is obtained fromBradyrhizobium japonicum.

17. The composition of paragraph 11, wherein the LCO is obtained from anarbuscular mycorrhizal fungus.

18. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is a chitinous compound.

19. The composition of paragraph 18, wherein the chitinous compound is achito-oligomer (CO).

20. The composition of paragraph 19, wherein the CO is synthetic.

21. The composition of paragraph 19, wherein the CO is recombinant.

22. The composition of paragraph 19, wherein the CO is naturallyoccurring.

23. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is a flavonoid.

24. The composition of paragraph 23, wherein the flavonoid is luteolin,apigenin, tangeritin, quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, fisetin,isorhamnetin, pachypodol, rhamnazin, hesperetin, naringenin,eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, taxifolin, dihydroquercetin,dihydrokaempferol, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, catechin,gallocatechin, catechin 3-gallate, gallocatechin 3-gallate, epicatechin,epigallocatechin, epicatechin 3-gallate, epigallocatechin 3-gallate,cyaniding, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin, petunidin, ora derivative thereof.

25. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is jasmonic acid or a derivative thereof.

26. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is linoleic acid or a derivative thereof.

27. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is linolenic acid or a derivative thereof.

28. The composition of paragraph 10, wherein the one or more plantsignal molecules is a karrikin.

29. The composition of any of paragraphs 2-28, wherein the carrier is asoil-compatible carrier.

30. The composition of any of paragraphs 2-29, wherein the carriercomprises talc, clay, kaolin, silica gel, starch, cellulose,methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, peat, straw, wheat, bran, gumarabic, or combinations thereof.

31. The composition of any of paragraphs 2-30, wherein the carrier is aliquid medium.

32. The composition of any of paragraphs 2-31, wherein the compositionfurther comprises one or more micronutrients.

33. The composition of paragraph 32, wherein the one or moremicronutrients comprise copper, iron, zinc, or a combination thereof.

34. A method of increasing the availability of phosphorus for plantuptake from soil, comprising introducing into the soil one or morefungal strains of paragraph 1.

35. The method of paragraph 34, wherein the method comprises introducinginto the soil an effective amount of the one or more fungal strains ofparagraph 1.

36. The method of paragraph 34, wherein the method comprises introducingan inoculum of the one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1.

37. The method of paragraph 36, wherein the method comprises introducinginto the soil an effective amount of the inoculum of the one or morefungal strains of paragraph 1.

38. The method of any of paragraphs 34-37, wherein the method comprisescontacting the one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1 with a sourceof phosphorus.

39. The method of any of paragraphs 34-38, wherein the method furthercomprises adding a source of phosphorus to the soil.

40. The method of paragraph 39, wherein the phosphorus source is a rockphosphate.

41. The method of paragraph 39, wherein the phosphorus source is afertilizer.

42. The method of paragraph 41, wherein the fertilizer comprisesmonoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate,super phosphate, triple super phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, andcombinations thereof.

43. The method of paragraph 39, wherein the phosphorus source is anorganic phosphorus source.

44. The method of paragraph 43, wherein the organic phosphorus sourcecomprises bone meal, meat meal, animal manure, compost, sewage sludge,guano, or combinations thereof.

45. The method of paragraph 39, wherein the step of adding a source ofphosphorus to the soil occurs before, after, or during the step ofintroducing into the soil the inoculum of the one or more fungal strainsof paragraph 1.

46. The method of any of paragraphs 34-35, wherein the step ofintroducing into the soil the one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1comprises introducing the one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1 intothe soil in an amount of 1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10⁶-1×10¹²colony forming units per hectare.

47. The method of any of paragraphs 34-35, wherein the step ofintroducing into the soil the one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1comprises introducing the one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1 as aseed coating.

48. The method of paragraph 47, wherein the seed coating comprises1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10²-1×10⁶ colony forming units per seed.

49. The method of any of paragraphs 36-37, wherein the step ofintroducing into the soil the inoculum of the one or more fungal strainsof paragraph 1 comprises introducing the inoculum into the soil in anamount of 1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10⁶-1×10¹² colony forming unitsper hectare.

50. The method of any of paragraphs 36-37, wherein the step ofintroducing into the soil the inoculum of the one or more fungal strainsof paragraph 1 comprises introducing the inoculum as a seed coating.

51. The method of paragraph 50, wherein the seed coating comprises1×10¹-1×10⁸, more preferably 1×10²-1×10⁶ colony forming units per seed.

52. The method of paragraph 34, comprising introducing into the soil anyof the compositions of paragraphs 2-33.

53. A method of increasing the phosphorus uptake in plants comprisinggrowing the plants in a soil comprising a phosphorus source and one ormore fungal strains of paragraph 1.

54. The method of paragraph 53, wherein the phosphorus source is a rockphosphate.

55. The method of paragraph 56, wherein the phosphorus source is afertilizer.

56. The method of paragraph 55, wherein the fertilizer comprisesmonoammonium phosphate, diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate,super phosphate, triple super phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, andcombinations thereof.

57. The method of paragraph 53, wherein the phosphorus source is anorganic phosphorus source.

58. The method of paragraph 57, wherein the organic phosphorus sourcecomprises bone meal, meat meal, animal manure, compost, sewage sludge,guano, or combinations thereof.

59. The method of paragraph 53, wherein the step of adding a source ofphosphorus to the soil occurs before, after, or during the step ofintroducing into the soil an inoculum of the one or more fungal strainsof paragraph 1.

60. The method of paragraph 53, wherein the plants are legume plants.

61. The method of paragraph 60, wherein the legume plants are selectedfrom the group consisting of soy bean, bean, alfalfa, and clover.

62. The method of paragraph 53, wherein the plants are non-legumeplants.

63. The method of paragraph 62, wherein the non-legume plant is corn.

64. A seed coated with one or more fungal strains of paragraph 1.

65. A seed coated with any of the compositions of paragraphs 2-33.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes and arenot intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed herein. Anyvariations in the exemplified examples which occur to the skilledartisan are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Materials & Methods Deposit of Biological Material

The following biological material has been deposited under the terms ofthe Budapest Treaty at the Agricultural Research Service CultureCollection, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Ill. 61604, U.S.A.,and given the following accession numbers:

Identification Accession Number Date of Deposit Penicillium bilaiae NRRLB-50776 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50777 1 Oct. 2012Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50778 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRLB-50779 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50780 1 Oct. 2012Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50781 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRLB-50782 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50783 1 Oct. 2012Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50784 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRLB-50785 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50786 1 Oct. 2012Penicillium bilaiae NRRL B-50787 1 Oct. 2012 Penicillium bilaiae NRRLB-50788 1 Oct. 2012

The strain has been deposited under conditions that assure that accessto the culture will be available during the pendency of this patentapplication to one determined by the Commissioner of Patents andTrademarks to be entitled thereto under 37 C.F.R. §1.14 and 35 U.S.C.§122. The deposit represents a pure culture of the deposited strain. Thedeposit is available as required by foreign patent laws in countrieswherein counterparts of the subject application or its progeny arefiled. However, it should be understood that the availability of adeposit does not constitute a license to practice the subject inventionin derogation of patent rights granted by governmental action.

Example 1 Phosphate Solubilization Assays

Fungal growth for phosphate solubilization assays was carried out in96-well microbioreactor plates (EnzyScreen, Netherlands) in 1.5 ml ofnitrate free minimal salts medium (Table 1). The plates were inoculatedfrom glycerol spore suspension stock plates stored at 80° C. using a96-pin cryo-replicator that was heat sterilized and cooled beforetransfer. Plates were grown at room temperature (20-25° C.) and 300 rpmfor 14 days. After 14 days, the plate was centrifuged for 5 minutes at5100 rpm and 1 ml of the supernatant was transferred to a 96-well filterplate (AcroPrep Advance 96 multi-well filter plate, 1 μm glass fibre,Pall Life Sciences #8231). The filter plate was placed over a 2 mlreceiver plate (Whatman Uniplate 96 well round bottom,Whatman#7701-5200) and samples were filtered under vacuum using amulti-well plate vacuum manifold (Pall Life Sciences #5017). Thefiltered supernatants were diluted 100× with sterile water and solublephosphate was measured using a plate reading spectrophotometer (Biotek,Winooski, Vt.) with the BioVision Phosphate Colorimetric Assay Kit(BioVision Research Products, Mountain View, Calif.) and accompanyinginstructions. Each isolate was grown and tested for phosphatesolubilization in triplicate and the average and standard deviationswere calculated. Results are provided in Table 2.

TABLE 1 Nitrate Free Minimal salts media (NFMSM) Component g/L NaCl 0.1NH₄Cl 0.4 CaCl₂*2H₂O 0.1 MgSO₄*7H₂O 1.0 sucrose 10.0 hydroxyapatite 5.41

TABLE 2 Phosphate solubilization from hydroxyapatite by hybrids andtheir parents. Numbers represent the average ± standard deviation of 3replicates. Isolate Average P₂O₅ solubilized ATCC 20851 (parent) 883 ±92 V08/021001 (parent) 849 ± 52 ATCC 22348 (parent) 1047 ± 115 NRRLB-50776 1174 ± 210 NRRL B-50777 1089 ± 95  NRRL B-50778 1066 ± 172 NRRLB-50779 1108 ± 99  NRRL B-50780  892 ± 101 NRRL B-50781 870 ± 43 NRRLB-50782 1009 ± 100 NRRL B-50783 1228 ± 294 NRRL B-50784 886 ± 56 NRRLB-50785  881 ± 174 NRRL B-50786 961 ± 97 NRRL B-50787  976 ± 116 NRRLB-50788 1085 ± 72 

Results indicate that all of the isolates solubilized more phosphatethan parental strain V08/021001. Results further indicate that 11 of the13 isolates solubilized more phosphate than parental strain ATCC 20851.5 isolates solubilized more phosphate than parental strain ATCC 22348.

Example 2 Gluconic Acid Production of Hybrids

Organic acid production is correlated with the ability to solubilizephosphate. Some organic acids, however, can be toxic to plants (J. A. L.van Kan, Trends in Plant Science 11: 247-253 (2006)). Gluconic acid isnot toxic to plants and its production by P. bilaiae shows strongcorrelation to phosphate solubilization. Gluconic acid production by 5of the isolates and their respective parents was studied using highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Twenty μl of the supernatantfrom Example 1 was run through an HPLC column (Restek Allure OrganicAcids column (250×4.6 mm, 5 μm)) at 15° C. The mobile phase consisted of25 mM phosphate buffer (adjusted to pH 2.5 with phosphoric acid) runningat 1 ml/min on an Agilent Infinity 1260 HPLC equipped with a diode arraydetector (DAD). The gluconic acid peak was identified by comparison to astandard of pure gluconic acid. The area under the gluconic acid peakwas measured and averaged across three replicate experiments. Resultsare provided in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Gluconic acid production of 5 hybrids and their parents. Numbersrepresent the average ± standard deviation of the area under thegluconic acid peak of 3 independent replicates. Isolate Gluconic acid(arbitrary units) ATCC 20851 (parent) 1984 ± 65 V08/021001 (parent) 1691± 93 ATCC 22348 (parent) 2252 ± 33 NRRL B-50776 2156 ± 60 NRRL B-507772261 ± 25 NRRL B-50779 2252 ± 48 NRRL B-50783 2245 ± 58 NRRL B-507882228 ± 45

Results indicate that all of the isolates produced more gluconic acidthan at least one parent and 3 out of 5 isolates produced more gluconicacid than either parent.

It will be understood that the Specification and Examples areillustrative of the present embodiments and that other embodimentswithin the spirit and scope of the claimed embodiments will suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art. Although this invention has beendescribed in connection with specific forms and embodiments thereof, itwould be appreciated that various modifications other than thosediscussed above may be resorted to without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example,equivalents may be substituted for those specifically described, and incertain cases, particular applications of steps may be reversed orinterposed all without departing from the spirit or scope for theinvention as described in the appended claims.

1. A composition comprising: a soil-compatible carrier; and one or morefungal strains, said one or more fungal strains comprising thePenicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRLB-50777, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accessionnumber NRRL B-50778, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50779, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50780, the Penicillium bilaiae strainhaving the deposit accession number NRRL B-50781, the Penicilliumbilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50782, thePenicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRLB-50783, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accessionnumber NRRL B-50784, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50785, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50786, the Penicillium bilaiae strainhaving the deposit accession number NRRL B-50787 and/or the Penicilliumbilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788.
 2. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a powder.
 3. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said soil-compatible carrier comprisespeat.
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein said one or more fungalstrains comprises fungal spores produced by the Penicillium bilaiaestrain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50777, the Penicilliumbilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50778, thePenicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRLB-50779, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accessionnumber NRRL B-50780, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50781, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having thedeposit accession number NRRL B-50782, the Penicillium bilaiae strainhaving the deposit accession number NRRL B-50783, the Penicilliumbilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRL B-50784, thePenicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accession number NRRLB-50785, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the deposit accessionnumber NRRL B-50786, the Penicillium bilaiae strain having the depositaccession number NRRL B-50787 and/or the Penicillium bilaiae strainhaving the deposit accession number NRRL B-50788.
 5. The composition ofclaim 1, wherein said composition further comprises one or morephosphorous sources.
 6. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises rock phosphate, monoammonium phosphate,diammonium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, super phosphate, triplesuper phosphate, ammonium polyphosphate, bone meal, meat meal, animalmanure, compost, sewage sludge and/or guano.
 7. The composition of claim1, wherein said composition further comprises one or morelipo-chitooligosaccharides.
 8. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises one or more chitooligosaccharides.
 9. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises oneor more chitins.
 10. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises one or more chitosans.
 11. The compositionof claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises one or moreflavonoids.
 12. The composition of claim 1, wherein said compositionfurther comprises luteolin, apigenin, tangeritin, quercetin, kaempferol,myricetin, fisetin, isorhamnetin, pachypodol, rhamnazin, hesperetin,naringenin, eriodictyol, homoeriodictyol, taxifolin, dihydroquercetin,dihydrokaempferol, genistein, daidzein, glycitein, catechin,gallocatechin, catechin 3-gallate, gallocatechin 3-gallate, epicatechin,epigallocatechin, epicatechin 3-gallate, epigallocatechin 3-gallate,cyanidin, delphinidin, malvidin, pelargonidin, peonidin or petunidin 13.The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition further comprisesone or more jasmonic acids, linoleic acids, linolenic acids and/orkarrakins.
 14. The composition of claim 1, wherein said compositionfurther comprises one or more diazotrophic microorganisms.
 15. Thecomposition of claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises oneor more mycorrhizae.
 16. The composition of claim 1, wherein saidcomposition further comprises one or more herbicides, fungicides and/orinsecticides.
 17. The composition of claim 1, wherein said compositionfurther comprises azoxystrobin, clothianidin, fludioxonil, fomesafen,glufosinate, glyphosate, imidacloprid, lactofen, mefenoxam, metalaxyland/or thiamethoxam.
 18. A seed treated with the composition of claim 1.19. The seed of claim 18, wherein said seed is coated with 1×10¹ to1×10⁸ colony-forming units of said one or more fungal strains.
 20. Acontainer comprising a plurality of seeds treated with the compositionof claim 1.